Upper River dam
Upper River
Upper River, located in Androscoggin, Maine, is a vital hydroelectric dam on the Sabattus River with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction and hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1860, this concrete structure stands at a height of 8 feet and stretches 175 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 63 acre-feet. Despite its historical significance, Upper River is currently assessed as being in poor condition, with a low hazard potential.
Managed by the local government and regulated by MEMA, Upper River plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With a drainage area of 70 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 54 acre-feet, the dam contributes to the overall health and sustainability of the Sabattus River ecosystem. However, with a last inspection date in 2016 and a poor condition assessment from 2014, there is a pressing need for maintenance and potential rehabilitation efforts to ensure the safety and functionality of this important infrastructure.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Upper River become increasingly important. With a focus on flood risk reduction and hydroelectric power generation, Upper River serves as a key asset in the region's water resource management strategy. It is essential that proper measures are taken to address the current poor condition of the dam and ensure its continued operation for the benefit of the community and the environment.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Upper River -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 726 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 312 cfs | → |
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 125 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper River.
Boat launches
- Durham Boat Launch
- Pejepscot Boat Ramp
- Lincoln Street 518, Lewiston
- Lake Street Sabattus
- Second Street 10, Auburn
- Riverwalk Auburn
Campgrounds
- Recompense Campground
- Laurel South
- Dunn's Campground
- Chewonki Campground
- Hoop Basketball Camp
- Seeds Of Peace Camp
More reservoirs
Track Upper River in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Upper River
Where does the data for Upper River come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Upper River.